Do we need a referendum?

Abstract

The dramatic European Council meeting in Brussels ten days ago seems finally to have signalled a collective EU will toward resolution of the euro crisis. However, quite apart from the problems posed by Britain’s latest lapse into self-imposed and self-defeating isolation, the big challenge ahead will lie in the ratification of the newly-minted fiscal compact.
Although there has been plenty of speculation that referendums would be held in multiple jurisdictions, Ireland might well find itself once again in the unique and lonely position of being the only member state to ask its citizens to vote on the treaty change.